Patriot quits over concussion fears
PATRIOTS OFFENSIVE lineman Dan Connolly won a Super Bowl and now, after several concussions, he’s ready to leave the NFL.
Health was the “biggest factor” in his decision to retire after eight years in the league, Connolly told ESPN.com, despite feeling he could play another season or two.
“It’s important to me to leave the game healthy,” said Connolly, 32, who had four diagnosed concussions while playing in the NFL and another in high school. “I’m able to be here for my kids and walk away on my own terms. I feel like I got everything I could out of football in playing 10 years, winning a Super Bowl, and playing alongside some truly great players.”
The long-term effect of head trauma from playing football is a reason some players are choosing to retire, even at an early age. Niners rookie Chris Borland said he was leaving the NFL in March, at the age of 24.
Connolly — who played left guard, center and right guard for New England — said winning the title last season also made him “more at ease” with leaving the game. The Patriots defeated the Seahawks, 28-24, in Super Bowl XLIX.
“The locker room friendships, I just don’t know if you can get that type of connection in any job in the world; being together in training camp and hotels on the road, that close-knit bond is something I’ll definitely miss,” Connolly told ESPN.com.
“With my football career coming to a close I am grateful for the opportunity given to me by the Kraft family and Coach (Bill) Belichick. It is an honor to have been part of such a great organization.”